77 Chapter 25: Entrance Exams for the Academy!

The Sound of people chattering and working resonated throughout the city as we passed by on a carriage. Unlike the other carriage we were on, this one was a lot more luxurious.

One of the drivers is apparently a guard.

Inside the carriage came, four of us including Eleanor along with her dad

So far, Eleanor feels like she's been avoiding me, but It doesn't feel like a grudge.

when we all ate breakfast together… She kept silent… and even now… She just quietly stares outside of the window

"So, Are you all feeling? Today are your entrance exams." Asked Kurt

I didn't feel nervous at all, Eleanor should be fine since she's a noble, and she can use light magic… The problem would be Ariel… but I know she'll be fine. She practices every day, whenever she has time.

Serena does the same. The two of them haven't stopped practising. I haven't stopped either, but I haven't been able to progress much… I'm going to need better ideas… I can't just create a spell out of nowhere…

"I'm good" I replied

"No problems here" Replied Serena

"I was a little nervous, but… I'm fine now" Said Ariel with a determined look

She can do it if she tries

"I was a lot nervous before, but thanks to you three being here, I feel calmer…" Said Eleanor as clenched her arm in the middle of her chest

"I'm glad to hear it, Thanks for coming with us, John, Serena and Ariel."

"There's no need to thank us, you're offering us a ride, we're the ones that are grateful" I replied

"That's right" Said Serena

Ariel nodded

"Haha, is that so… I'm glad those are your thoughts." Said Kurt as he stared outside of the window

But it's strange… Could the magic academy be small or something? I didn't see any signs of it at all, not once since we came to the city. Is it really here?

Suddenly, the carriage stopped

"Look's like we've arrived." Said Kurt

Eh? Already?

The four of us hastily looked outside of the carriage and were surprised, there was a lot of space all around but no school. There were also a lot of people here, teenagers with their parents. The nearest house was far

Why is there such a big lump of space inside of the city? Where's the school? There's so many people here and yet…

"Are they all here for the exam..? But I don't see a school anywhere… Unless…" Said Serena

At the same time the carriage door opened and on the outside was guard.

"Identification, please." Asked the guard

"Of course, Kurt van mira, and this is my daughter Eleanor van mira. These are our guests who will also be taking the exam" Said Kurt as he handed the man some sort of badge

"My deepest apologies! For not realising who it was!" Said the man as he bowed

"Haha, no need to be so tense, personally, I don't mind. But that aside, any ideas when the gate will open?"

Gate? What gate? Wait, somethings strange… There's only houses here, yet the guards seemed to be chanting something in the center… Wait, this isn't what I think it is, right..?

As I thought that, the guard said "Right now" and as he said that light began to gather in the center of where the other guards were chanting and took the shape of two gates.

A blue one and a red one, two gates were formed and in front of them was a single mage. The guards had moved out of the way to give the person space

"Wow…" Muttered Ariel

"Is that the unique space magic I heard about? Gate… It took around 8 mages to cast it…" Muttered Serena

Eleanor quietly watched with the look of amazement in her eyes

Hm… I'm guessing gate is different to teleportation. Gate is like connecting to ends in a line, and these are indeed two separate gates…

She looked like an old woman in her 70s, yet she didn't give off the feeling of being fragile

"*Clears throat* Testing… Good. People of xoleria, once again it is the start of a new year, and we are proud to announce that the exam will commence. " Said the lady

the crowd suddenly started cheering when the lady announced that

"Looks like everyone is excited…" I muttered

"Of course, it's always like this" Said Kurt

"It's like this in every city with a magic school? Must be hard…" I said

"Hmm… You seem to be getting the wrong idea. Things are only like this because it is this school. Haven't you heard about this magic academy?" Asked Kurt

"Well, we heard that it was considered one of the most prestigious ones." I replied

"Not just one of the most prestigious ones, this academy is the most prestigious one in the whole continent, Most magicians who have had their name go down in history have had ties to this academy." Said Kurt

It was that good..?

"And now I feel a bit nervous." Said Serena

"Haha, sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." Said Kurt

"It's fine, but it's good to know how amazing the school we're going to is."

"As always, only the students will be allowed in, Parents, Guardians and Guards will have to stay here, along with the carriage. These are necessary safe measures."

Looks like the security is tight, it's a good thing since apparently we'll be living in dorms there. Eleanor will be safe that way…

"Looks like we'll be parting ways here… You four, stay safe and good luck!" said Kurt

We each thanked him and got off the carriage, when it was Eleanor's turn…

"Thank you, and… Sorry… Dad." Said Eleanor as she hung her head

She had be giving him the silent treatment so I guess this is what the apology was for

"For what? I got what I deserved, don't feel bad about it. I'm the one that's sorry… I shouldn't have rushed things" He said

Her sad eyes seemed to slowly gain it's life back as she heard his words

"If you're truly sorry, then once I pass make sure you make it up to me." Said Eleanor with a bright smile

"I will" Replied Kurt who also smiled

After the interaction, Eleanor got off the carriage and we had all finally gotten off.

By the time we had gotten off, they had started forming a line on each gate

"This year, we will do something different. You will have the option to choose which gate you would like to enter, blue is easier, but if you do get accepted, you'll start on the lowest ranking class. Meanwhile, red on the other hand will allow you to start in rank 5" said the lady

"rank 5? Did she say rank 5?" Said a person

"Isn't that really good?!" Asked another person

"O-Oi… maybe it might be a better idea to go inside of the red gate" suggested another person

"Y-Yeah, he's right… We'll be one rank below alpha class…" said another guy

"Yeah! Let's do it!" Shouted a random guy

Suddenly, more and more people lined up in front of the red gate

Hm, this isn't what Eleanor said… She said they separated it by commoner and noble… And that it would be harder for commoners to get in because they were running out of space…

Why would she deliberately change the rules? Being kind? No, I doubt it… Most of the people that lined up in front of the red gate, looked like commoners.

There were a lot of teens lined up behind the red, maybe around 90 or 100 and 1/3 seemed to be nobles.

Meanwhile, in front of the blue gate there were around 20, maybe 30 lined up in front of it.

Ah… I see… There's barely any space in the lower ranking classes, so they're pairing up the commoners with the nobles to decrease the amount. Naturally they'll make the noble test harder too.

I feel bad for everyone, but this also benefits me and we'll all be able to stick together.

"John, Which gate do we pick?" Asked Serena

"Well, I originally planned on going with the commoner route, but with this, I'll be able to rank up without having to wait for 3 months, so we're going with red"

Having a head start will definitely be advantageous for us…

"Understood" Said Ariel

"Well then, listen up, we have no idea what might be on the other side of the gate, but our first priority if we separate is to meet up. Understood?"

The two girls nodded, Eleanor kept quiet

"W-Well… I wish you three good luck…" said Eleanor as she turned and was about to leave

"Where are you going?" I asked as I grabbed on to her hand

"Where? To the line… You shouldn't be telling me your plan…" Said Eleanor

"Why?" I asked

"What do you mean why? Your plan is something you should tell to your team…" She muttered

"But Eleanor, you are in our team?" Said Ariel

"I am?" Eleanor asked with a confused expression

"Well, after all, who wouldn't want to team up with their friend? And besides, school with john would be annoying, I need back up." Said Serena

"Oi." I intentionally let out

"So I can join the team..?" Asked Eleanor

"Of course, I'm sure there's going to be many other teams and she never said that teaming was against the rules, so… will you join our team?" I asked

"Tha… Thank you… Gladly!" Said Eleanor

She seemed relieved and happy, her spirit also seemed to return to her. Was she sad because she didn't want to go against us? I thought it was because of the engagement…

"Well, no use in thinking about it." I muttered to myself

"About what?" Eleanor asked

She heard that?

"N-Nothing, Anyways, let's go line up on the red gate"

The three of them agreed with a hint of excitement in their eyes and we lined up. I was probably just as excited as them.

"Well then, it looks like you are all lined up. On my signal you may pass through the gate. Do not worry, the exam will not start until everyone is inside." Said the lady

"looks like we're starting" I muttered

"Shhh" said Serena

"Well, then, On your mark… Go! Let the exams begin!" Said the lady

After that, everyone began to walk through. The teenagers in front of the blue gate walked through it, while the near 100 in front of the red gate, entered.

It didn't take long for it to reach our turn to enter.

I only realised this now, but how can such an old ladies voice reach all the way here? Can she use sound magic or something?

"Well then, let's go. Good luck to everyone" I said as I walked inside

"You'll need it" Said Serena as she followed behind me

"We all will" Said Ariel as she followed behind serena

"You're right about that." Said Eleanor as she was the last to enter.